Can I Drill New Alloy Quill Stem For Brake Stop/Hanger?

[woodbine]

My original quill stem on my British Eagle MTB is too short so I want to replace it with a new, longer Nitto MT-10 quill. The new stem is forged and heat treated aluminium. Will it be ok for me to drill one small diameter hole through the extension with a larger hole at the top of the first hole to accommodate the cable end/ferule? Or is there another option. I have considered a clamp on hanger to go on the stem, but am struggling to find something suitable for the 22.2mm stem. Thanks for any advice.

New stem -

https://www.hubjub.co.uk/nitto-mt-10-10-cm-dirt-drop-quill-stem-4594-p.asp

Pictures are the original stem/brake set up.

 

[rogerzilla]

I really wouldn't. There are other solutions. A headset hanger (Dia-Compe) is the most obvious. I might even have one spare.

 

[woodbine]

Thanks for your reply, Roger. If I have to use a seperate hanger instead of drilling, I think a clamp on headset hanger that clamps to the stem may be easier for me. I'm not sure if my set up is suitable for one that goes under the headset nut - maybe you or someone else can tell from my photos?

All of the clamp on hangers seem to be for 25.4mm stems. As my stem is 22.2mm, can I use a 22.2 to 25.4mm handlebar shim to fix the hanger to my stem?

 

[Ian H]

I drilled and tapped a quill stem for that purpose. Standard adjuster in the top. Worked perfectly. I think I still have it somewhere.

 

[rogerzilla]

This goes under your headset locknut (it can replace the locktab washer) and is the best solution. Nitto stuff is nice, but not overbuilt. I wouldn't drill it (and ride it afterwards!).

 

[Cycleops]

You could drill it but the hanger is just a neater solution.

 

[T4tomo]

fit an up hanger off the fork, gives you a shorter cable and eliminates fork judder under braking

 

[Drago]

fit an up hanger off the fork, gives you a shorter cable and eliminates fork judder under braking
View attachment 595041

I have that exact item in one of my old MTBs. Its very rigid, a very effective solution.

 

[tyred]

fit an up hanger off the fork, gives you a shorter cable and eliminates fork judder under braking
View attachment 595041

That's the way to go for canto brakes. They work much smoother and more positive.

The other issue with the headset mounted hanger is that it's possible you won't have enough spare threads to fit it.

 

[woodbine]

fit an up hanger off the fork, gives you a shorter cable and eliminates fork judder under braking
View attachment 595041

Thanks to everyone who has replied with advice. Really appreciated.

T4tomo >>> I have two small holes under the crown bearing where the forks split. Are these likely to fit the bolt supplied with the up hanger, or will I need to enlarge them?

 

[woodbine]

It looks like it will be easiest to go with T4tomo's suggestion of the up fork up hanger. However, there is another interesting option which may be suitable - the Tektro Fork Power Hanger Booster. Does anyone have experience with these? Are they something to consider?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tektro-B...vp3mxNEAIbJBC_P85scw_JpwnPVNwRdBoCbRcQAvD_BwE

 

[T4tomo]

Thanks to everyone who has replied with advice. Really appreciated.

T4tomo >>> I have two small holes under the crown bearing where the forks split. Are these likely to fit the bolt supplied with the up hanger, or will I need to enlarge them?

yes it should fit, but the supplied bolt I think has one of those nuts that goes over the threads along way and needs a M8 recess hole in the back, so I, after chatting with spa cycles, just used a regular M6 or m5 bolt, and non slip nut that fitted the hole in my forks to fit the uphanger, better option than drilling out the fork.

I think the power hangers are quite good, but very fiddly to get set up correctly, so a uphanger works go with that.

 

[woodbine]

yes it should fit, but the supplied bolt I think has one of those nuts that goes over the threads along way and needs a M8 recess hole in the back, so I, after chatting with spa cycles, just used a regular M6 or m5 bolt, and non slip nut that fitted the hole in my forks to fit the uphanger, better option than drilling out the fork.

I think the power hangers are quite good, but very fiddly to get set up correctly, so a uphanger works go with that.

OK, thanks again T4tomo. Will try a fork crown up hanger. Like the look of the Dia Compe version as it has an extra stability bracket to go under crown. Also a cable catcher and the bolt doesn't have any sleeved nuts that would require drilling the back hole.